AK State Fair 2014

Another great day at the State Fair. This fair was bitter/sweet as it was our last time with the Gelatt clan. We have been going to the fair with them for the last 10 years and next year just won't be the same. SIGH. Here is the first picture we took when each of us only had one child. 10 years later, our crew has grown to 10 children. 3 of them are missing from this photo~ Zeke and Tessa were not "invited" as they are just too "high may" at their ages and Parker was rather studious this year and didn't want to be pulled out of school for the fair. Crazy boy!

It was a treat to enjoy a full day in the sun with the Gelatt gals!

Havemeister Dairy Farm field trip

Our first field trip of the year brought us to the only dairy farm left in Matanuska Valley. It was so cool to learn how they process the milk and see the milking area. We were all amazed that the dairy farmers are in their 70s and they still wake up at 3am to milk the cows for almost 3 hours and then do it again at 3pm! Noah and Savannah's favorite part was seeing a calf that was only one day old~ so cute!

Parker is a 4th grader

Parker is a FOURTH grader!!! He is pumped and I am having a hard time figuring out where time has gone!?!  We are blessed that he got placed in Mrs. Miller's class and his four closest buddies are also in the same class!  YaY!

Lovejoys in TOWN

Mark Lovejoy is one of Kep's college buddies.  It's rare that they get to hang out but when they do~ it is fun and just like college days.  The rest of us benefit too because our kids love goofing off with their boys.  Next time, we hope to have Alicia and Jasper with us on our adventure!

Noah Brooks and Noah Hatcher.  These silly guys are 3 months apart and they are so similar!  Wish we lived closer to these guys!

Skilak Lake is AMAZING!

We had our annual campout with our dear friends at a new location~ Skilak Lake!  I think we found a new fav location especially if the weather could be repeated!  We were so warm that most of us were swimming in a glacier lake!  What a blast!

This bear is actually BIG for a black bear, so I'm told.  This crazy guy was brave enough to wander out onto the beach 50 feet away from our loud bunch!  The bear continued on for 20 feet before he retreated back into the woods.  OH MY goodness!  Our hearts were pounding with excitement and fear!  I've lived in Alaska for 12 years and this is my first time seeing a bear when I'm outside of the car.  So fun!

I thought I was just taking a pic of Savannah and Owen but a fish... photo bombed!

Seagull rookery was a highlight for our kids!  But, I'm sure we were not a highlight for the seagulls! The kids would kayak out there and the seagulls would go nuts!

Another amazing campout with amazing friends!